Extension-casket.



110.7%,297. PATENTED APR.5,1.904. J. A. TABOR & J. L. MURPHY.

EXTENSION GASKET.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 20, 1903.

H0 MODEL.

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- UNTTED STATES Patented April 5, 1904.

PATENT OFFICE.

JOSEPH ALEXANDER TABOR AND JAMES L. MURPHY, OF SCRANTON,

MISSISSIPPI.

EXTENSION-CASKET.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters P atent'No. 756,297, dated. April 5, 1904.

Application filed July 20, 1903. Serial No. 166,368. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that we, JOSEPH ALEXANDER TABOR and JAMES L. MURPHY, citizens of the United States, residing at Scranton, in the county of Jackson and State of Mississippi, have invented 'a new and useful Extension Casket or Cofiin, of which the following is a specification.

Our invention is an improvement in caskets, and has for its object to provide a casket that can be extended or shortened by the insertion or withdrawal of supplemental panels.

The casket is especially designed for the use of undertakers in small towns, where it is impractical to carry in stock a large assortment of sizes.

Our invention consists of a casket of average width and having adjacent the foot a plurality of removable top, bottom, and side panels and means for slidingly guiding the side panels into position.

Our invention also consists in the novel features of construction and combination of parts described hereinafter, particularly pointed out in the claims, and shown in the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is a perspective view of our casket with all the parts in position. Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the foot portion, the top and two of the side panels being removed. Fig. 3 is detail perspective view showing the construction of the top,two panels being removed. Fig. 4 is a perspective view of one of the top panels. Figs. 5 and 6 are detail views of two of the side panels. Fig. 7 is a longitudinal vertical section through a portion of a casket, showing the panels in place. Fig. 8 is a view in elevation of a top panel, the angle-bar being shown in section. Fig. 9 is a perspective view of a bottom panel.

In the drawings above referred to the inner cloth linings and handles are removed to more clearly show the construction of the parts to which this invention relates.

In carrying out our invention we construct a casket A in two separateparts, a head portion B and a foot portion B the head portion being considerably longer than the foot portion. The inner ends of these two portions are adapted to fit together, forming with the top a complete casket, the inner end of the portion B carrying forwardly-projecting pins B, which fit into apertures or sockets formed in the inner ends of the section B. The top of the casket comprises the section B fitting over the head portion B,and a short section B fitting over the foot portion B, the inner end of the section 13 having forwardly-projecting pins B.

Fitting Within the foot portion B and extending a variable distance into the head portion B is a boxing B The sides of the portions B B adjacent each other are longitudinally grooved, as shown at B, a bar B fitting in said groove. These bars may be secured by screws after the final size of the casket is determined on. Prior to that time they would be secured only at the ends lying in the groove in the foot portion B (not shown) and would slide freely in the groove B in the sides of the head portion B.

The removable sections, which We have shown as three in number and also of unequal width, consist each of four panels-two side panels, a bottom, and a toppanel. The side panels O are slightly beveled or beaded along their outerside edges, so that when a number of them are placed 'together they will present the appearance shown in Fig. 1. inner faces the side panels have transverse grooves C, which adapt it to fit over the bars B and slide on same. Along one edge the panelshave sockets 0*, adapted to receive the pins C and on the opposite edge pins C adapted to fit in the sockets of the portion B or the sockets C of another side panel. The bottom panels G are equal in number to the removable sections and are of the same width as the side panels, against which theirends bear. They are provided with the pins 0 on one edge and the sockets O on the opposite edge, coacting with corresponding parts carried by the portions B B, respectively, as will be readily understood. The top panels have the central horizontal portion C and the side foot portions C When in position, an angled barD is secured at one end to the head portion B, at the opposite end to the foot por- On their usual sockets on the opposite edge, as will be as the side and bottom panels are in position tion B, and intermediately to such top panels as may be in use. The top panels are also provided on one edge with the pins C and the readily understood.

Supplemental covers E are adapted to be secured on the top of the casket, as shown in Fig. -1, and fastened in position by any preferred means, and we prefer to arrange a thin lining of waterproof cloth or asbestos between the box'ing B and the casket proper, making the joints Water-tight, as shown at F.

The manner of using the casket will be obvious. When it is desired to lengthen the casket, the foot portion B is drawn away from the head portion B, the bar B sliding in the groove B of the head portion B, as shown in Fig. 2. As many of the removable sections are inserted as required to give the desired length. The bars B and grooves C aid in guiding the side panels in position. As soon the bars B are secured to the sides of the head portion B and the inner box is fastened to the part B by screws G, arranged at each corner of the inner box, though it is understood that the various parts of our coffin may be secured tegether by any well-known fastening means, preventing further disturbing of the parts. When the top panels have been fitted together, the angle-bars D are secured in position and the top is then ready to be placed over the casket.

Having thus fully described our invention, l

what we claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. A casket comprising foot and head"por.

tions, a boxing fitting in the foot portion and extending into the head portion and a removable section adapted to fit between the foot and head portions.

2. A casket comprising head and foot portions, a plurality of side, bottom and top panels and means for detachably securing said panels together between the head and foot portions.

3. A sectional casket comprising foot and head portions the sides of said portions being longitudinally grooved, bars fitting in said grooves and connecting the two portions and side panels having transverse grooves, said panels being adapted to fit between the said portions over the bars.

4. A casket comprising foot and head portions adapted to fit together and form a complete casket, or to be spaced apart the sides of said portions beinglongitudinally grooved, bars secured in the grooves of one portion and sliding in the grooves of the other portion, and removable sections fitting between said portions when spaced apart, said sections comprising side panels grooved to fit over said bars.

JOSEPH ALEXANDER TABOR. JAMES L. MURPHY. Witnesses: I

. MoVEA YOUNG, C. F. BROWNE. 

